LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters — Minutes St. Louis, Missouri — March 9, 1984, Page 7

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is not clear. In Article II, F, the words "be constituted and" should be added before the words "shall
function" in order to comply with Bylaw 4.01 of the Handbook. With regard to Article III, A, 6, the
Commission believes that this office is unnecessary and that the duties described would more logically be
a responsibility of the Treasurer, with the responsibility being delegated to a member of the Treasurer's
staff. In Article III, B, 1, the Commission believes that the sentence should read, "The Board of Directors
shall be elected by the convention of the District and shall be responsible for implementation of
resolutions adopted by the District and for coordination of the work necessary to carry out the mission
and ministry of the District." In Article III, B, 2, b, the six geographical areas should be defined. In
Article III, B, 5, the Commission observes that it seems unwise to have an Executive Committee of the
Board, composed of all ex-officio officers who are empowered to act. It further suggests that the word
"urgency" be changed to "emergency." With regard to Article IV, 5, cf. the remarks related to Article III,
A, 6. Article IV, B, dealing with accountability, does not clearly specify that all officers and others are
accountable to the elective or appointive body. Since the District has only two vice-presidents, the
Commission did not agree with the suggestion of Dr. Klotz that the second vice-presidency remain vacant
if a vacancy occurs in that office.
The Commission directed that in writing to the District regarding suggested bylaw changes, the District
be informed that its Constitution is not effective until it has been approved by the Commission on
Constitutional Matters. A number of sections in the Handbook of the Synod make this absolutely clear.
The Commission is concerned that the Bylaws for the Southern District were printed in June, 1982, and
have been distributed without receiving the Commission approval.
25. Representatives of Dual Parish at Circuit Forums (Ag. 1685): President Alvin Barry of the Iowa
District East had asked, "Does the Handbook wording envision a lay representative from each of the dual
parish congregations as constituting the membership of the Circuit Forum, or is it to be one lay
representative representing both congregations in the dual parish?" In response, the Secretary had
indicated that: 1) The Handbook specifically refers to representation of every congregation, not every
congregation or parish. 2) Each congregation, even in a dual or triple parish, is entitled to one lay delegate
who may vote. 3) All congregations in a dual or triple parish are represented by the pastor who serves
them. 4) The pastor for such a parish is entitled to only one vote, not one vote for each congregation in the
parish. The Commission ratified the reply of the Secretary.
26. Handbook Corrections and Changes (Ag. 1686, A): The Secretary reported the following Handbook
corrections and changes which should be made:
Page 76, 2.501 --

(See Bylaw 8.47 should be changed to (See Bylaw 8.15).

Page 77, 2.511 --

(See Bylaw 8.47) should be changed to (See Bylaw 8.15).

Page 79, 2.553, b -- "Lutheran Medical 'Mission Association" was removed from 2.551. It should
also be removed at this point
Page 90, 2.654 --

The words systematic manner. should not be repeated

Page 137, 5.48 --

The reference to Bylaw 1.20 should be to Bylaw 1.21.

Page 148, 5.131, a --

In line 2 of the section, the word "on' should be " of."

Page 193, 8.41, a -- The reference to Bylaw 1.20 should be to Bylaw 1.21
Page 194, 8.41, e -- In line 9 of the section, the word "is" should be "in. "